Job security is the bonus

I am greatly impressed that Virginia's government has created a surplus in excess of $200 million. This was apparently accomplished through better-than-expected revenues and strict fiscal management in cutting spending on various budget items. I did not see a report that any of these spending cuts included cuts in pay or benefits to state employees. This is acceptable, but I am appalled than more than $80 million of the surplus is being given as bonuses to these same state employees, when it could address so many pressing human and infrastructure needs. The state employees receiving bonuses already have secure, well-paying jobs that include health and leave benefits, as compared to many Virginians who have no jobs or health care or have jobs with minimum pay and few if any benefits. Just as our Congress exempted itself from provisions in the new health care laws, our state government would seem to take care of its own first. If enough of us complain, then maybe our governor will rethink his decision.

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Welcome to the discussion.

We strive to be fair and accurate in our reporting. In turn, we ask
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The comments section is like a letter to the editor, not a chat
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